I was wondering about two things. First, how much emphasis would you place on correct voice-leading? (ex. strict avoidance of parallel 5ths etc, not including cases in which the sound of parallel 5ths is desired for special effect). Do you work out pieces in 3-5 part chorale harmony and orchestrate from there?

And second, how do you utilize the services of orchestrators, and has working with particular orchestrators made an impact on your writing in general?

I don't think about voice leading at all in the traditional way. I do "listen" and "think" about voice leading in terms of the music - at least as a dialectical process. How does your voice leading interact with your music - make it clearer. That to me is the central issue.